With summer just around the corner and our skin more exposed, it’s important to look after our moles. We all have them, but when do they become dangerous?

We’ve spoken to the experts to find out…

Here's what to look out for...

Asymmetry

Check the symmetry of your moles: normal moles are symmetrical, meaning if you split it in two, both parts would look the same. Keep an eye on moles that look different on each side.

Border change

If your mole has a blurred or irregular edge, this could indicate a melanoma (a type of skin cancer). Also, check the shape of your mole – if it looks uneven, or raised from the skin, this could be another warning sign.

Colour

Most people know you should check for moles changing colour. While this isn’t necessarily cause for concern, make a mental note if your mole gets darker or has more than two colours.

Diameter

Keep an eye on the size of your mole – it shouldn’t change or exceed 7mm in any direction. Take a picture of it against a piece of paper, or trace round it on tracing paper, and check back every few months.

Stay safe in the sun

Don't think you can reduce the SPF factor while on holiday (Image: Getty)

Dr Kai Mylvahan, GP and skin specialist, says: "There is a myth that you can start using a high SPF sun cream at the beginning of your holiday and reduce the SPF while you’re there. Your skin never becomes used to strong sunlight. If you consider all the light-skinned people born in sunny countries, like Australia and South Africa, they are still getting sun damage and a lot are developing skin cancer.

"A bonus of using a good sun cream, even on hot days in the UK, is that it will genuinely make you look younger because it also prevents wrinkles," continues Dr Mylvahan, recommending that people pay extra attention in the hottest parts of the days, between 11am and 3pm.

He added that you should use SPF30 and above, because anything below this doesn’t do much to protect your skin.

Other factors that could put you at risk

● Any new changes in your mole, such as a change in sensation, bleeding, itching, crusting, flaking or pain.

● The risk of skin cancer is affected by your skin type, family history of skin cancer and your exposure to sun, so if you work, or holiday, in the sunshine a lot, be extra vigilant.

● Your sun exposure as a child also pays an important role – did you get sunburnt often as a kid? If so, it’s worth mentioning this to your GP.

● But remember, if your mole has any hair sprouting from it, it’s very unlikely that it is cancerous.

Dr Lau and Dr Kai Mylvahan both work for GPDQ, the UK's first and leading GP-on-demand service. Visit GPDQ.co.uk for more details